The annual Christmas party sponsored by the Idaho Enterprise and many Oneida County businesses and organizations filled the Event Center once again, and distributed hundreds of toys to those who did the work to complete their coloring pages.  In addition to winning a variety of prizes with the local businesses the pages were returned to the Enterprise office and all participants were also entered into a massive drawing for toys. Every one who submitted an entry was entered onto the “Nice” list, and ended up with at least one item to take home.  Out of all the entries, the grand prizes were randomly awarded to a handful of lucky kids, and included TVs, bikes, Squishmallows, scooters, and a Nintendo Switch provided by the Dude Ranch.

The toys for the event were all purchased locally from Just for Fun Toy Shop located in downtown Malad on Main Street.  “This year, we were able to get everything here in town, which was awesome,” Enterprise publisher Bryan Scott told the assembled group of kids and their parents.  “If you haven’t been down there, it’s a great store.”

Their parents probably made a note of the point, and the explanation for how the event would work.  The kids just as probably didn’t, as they were more intent on slowly and insistently moving forward toward the prize tables, provoking a regular “scoot back!” every few minutes.  And who could blame them?  The randomized list of names was read off ten at a time, and ten kids headed to the age appropriate tables to select their prize before the next round started.  

Incidentally, the age ranges on toy product packaging are often somewhat mysterious.  In the preparation, some intense discussions were held over the difference between a 4+ toy and a 5-7 toy, with no final resolution to the vexed issue.  Luckily, kids were allowed to make special pleadings for toys from other tables, and a combination of democracy and limited pragmatic authoritarianism carried the day.

In addition to the toys being locally sourced, the food was prepared by the Malad Drive-In and its staff.  Walking tacos and a large number of hot dogs were prepared for the crowd, and there was enough left over that Elizabeth Sweat, who had come up from the Utah office to help out, found herself literally pitching the qualities of hot dogs to those who perhaps hadn’t realized that they needed one.  Or another one.  

Santa Claus and Mrs. Claus have had a busy season already, appearing at a number of local events.  Along with their helper Tad, though, they were on hand to listen to the requests of the many kids who lined up for a chance to speak with them.  

A craft table had the uncommon distinction of actually running out of craft items for construction, which was a monumental feat given the sheer number of craft kits at the start of the afternoon.  As a result, there are many, many trees around the valley this Christmas with…uniquely constructed Christmas ornaments adorning their branches.

At the end of the day, Christmas is a time to give back and do what you can to make sure others have a wonderful time.  The more widely that vision is shared, the better for everyone.  On my end of things, I’ve watched over the last few years as Bryan Scott has taken on this Christmas tradition and done everything he can to make it the best event possible for the community.  A lot goes into the event, and I think that he and everyone involved can be proud of the finished product.  It’s a great capper to the year for us, and we hope that it’s still something that the community looks forward to during December.  

On behalf of Bryan Scott, Stacey LaMont, Elizabeth Sweat (and her daughter Rachel), and the rest of the Utah crew, as well as Sherrie, Shelly, Allison, and Brandon here in town, we wish you the best of the season, and a Merry Christmas!